1. POWER OF THE CROSS

2. WHAT IS THE CROSS? WHY IS IT SO POWERFUL?

3. A powerful king had 2 children … a prince & princess A powerful king had 2 children … a prince & princess They lived happily in a big & wonderful palace They lived happily in a big & wonderful palace The palace is on a high mountain surrounded by dangerous cliffs The palace is on a high mountain surrounded by dangerous cliffs It is like this...

4. One day the children were curious One day the children were curious They climbed over the palace walls & fell down the dangerous cliff! They climbed over the palace walls & fell down the dangerous cliff! The king was so sad … The king was so sad …

5. The king had many powerful guards but cannot trust anyone to save his children The king had many powerful guards but cannot trust anyone to save his children So went down himself! So went down himself! He took off his crown, and started down the dangerous cliff - sharp rocks, thorns … it was difficult He took off his crown, and started down the dangerous cliff - sharp rocks, thorns … it was difficult

6. At the bottom, the children were hungry, thirsty, broken & bruised At the bottom, the children were hungry, thirsty, broken & bruised The father lovingly bandaged up their wounds, and nursed them back to health The father lovingly bandaged up their wounds, and nursed them back to health He carried the children on his back to the palace He carried the children on his back to the palace The children rejoiced to be safe again with their father! The children rejoiced to be safe again with their father!

7. Similar to the story...

8. BRIDGE MAN GOD

9. Why is the Cross so powerful? Our Lord crushed crushed Satan (serpent) on the cross It is a bridge to God The cross gave us salvation How do we use the power of the Cross? We carry it in us: pray with it use it when … happy, thankful, suffering, scared, lonely, sad

10. CARRY OUR CROSS lovepatiencejoy CARRY OUR CROSS with love, patience, and joy! – Love & pray for everyone (even those who hurt us) – Be helpful & patient, even when it’s hard – Be thankful, don’t complain

11. “God forbid that I should glory except in the cross cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” Galatians 6:14

12. Stories of the Power of the Cross... Emperor Constantine defeated enemy with the sign of the cross Emperor Constantine defeated enemy with the sign of the cross Queen Helen found 3 crosses, the 3 rd one raised up a dead person Queen Helen found 3 crosses, the 3 rd one raised up a dead person

13. Stories of the Power of the Cross... ANBA BARSOUM AL ERIAN Parents were rich & loved God When parents died, uncle took all the money The Saint lived in a cave, always prayed & fasted A BIG snake lived in that cave! CROSS“Stand still where you are!” St. Barsoum did the sign of the CROSS: “Stand still where you are!” The snake never came close to hurt St. Barsoum